Ok, we took a Post-It Note break and now we’re back on track with our workplace violence prevention week. In my earlier post, What Can the Juanita Bynum Assault Teach Office Workers I mentioned that office workers can learn a lot from this unfortunate event and discussed who is at the most risk. I talked about when not to intervene with a violent individual as well.
Today let’s move on to how to anticipate potentially violent individuals. The first thing you should know is that there are generally three individuals who bring violence to the workplace:
- An individual who enters the office yet does not work at your workplace and is not there to conduct business. The person is there only to commit a criminal act.
- An individual who receives services from your office; either a current or previous client.
- An individual who does work with you.
Which do you think is the most common? If you said one you are correct. Domestic violence attacks like the one Bishop Thomas W. Weeks III initiated on Juanita Bynum is the most common type of workplace violence.
If you see someone who displays any of the following 14 warning signs; it can be an indication that someone will become violent.
- Completely sudden irrational thinking, beliefs, or plans
- Lack of concern for co-workers in general but more so a lack of safety concern
- Drug and or alcohol abuse at work
- Can’t take criticism and dwells on it when he or she does receive some
- Romantic obsessions or other inappropriate sexual behavior
- Over stressed due to work or personal issues – someone who has new stress as well
- Attendance, productivity, and communication problems
- Heightened anxiety
- Steals from the workplace or sets out to ruin a co-workers project
- Expresses hopelessness or excessive depression
- Sudden and extreme anger
- Expresses an overwhelming interest in weapons and or violence
- Threatens a co-worker (verbally or written)
- Tries to intimidate others
There is no way to know with absolute certainty who will and who won’t become violent. The best tip is to always be aware that violence could erupt at your workplace and have a plan for if it does. More on plans later this week.
Can you think of any other warning signs?
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» 6 Ways to De-Escalate Potentially Violent Workplace Situations from OfficeStuffer
You may not be able to stop someone from becoming violent but you can certainly try. Rule number one: Don’t forget about when you should NOT try to de-escalate someone. Remember, sometimes there’s nothing you can do that’s going... [Read More]
Tracked on: August 27, 2007 11:18 PM | Permalink to Trackback